Interview With Artist Natalie Parker
Congratulations to Natalie Parker for earning her place as the Winner of the Monthly Art Award April 2025 Edition!
Who are you?
Art is a part of who I am, I love to create. My family moved to an acreage when I was a child, with bush surroundings and abundant wildlife, this was a major influence for me to become a wildlife artist. It was a natural progression for me to blend my two passions together and become an artist focusing on Australian Wildlife.
“Aussie Greeting”
Acrylic on Clayboard
By Natalie Parker
What inspired you to utilize painting as a medium?
I experimented with different genres of art styles and mediums before I became an artist solely focusing on wildlife, which I find the most rewarding. I also found soft-bodied acrylic paints were the perfect medium for my art so I can achieve the finest of details. A velvet smooth surface is also very important, this is why I use Claybord, which is a clay-coated panel, archival, acid-free and environmentally friendly.
“Blue Attraction”
Acrylic on Canvas
By Natalie Parker
How would you describe your work?
I like to create ‘friendly’ paintings of Australian wildlife in their natural environment to engage with the viewer. Capturing a moment in nature. I love sharing my love for wildlife with people and this is my way of doing that. Interaction is also an important thing in a lot of my work. Wildlife is very much in tune within their environment and other animals they share it with. I like to create scenes featuring different species in the same painting, like a young Koala meeting a Superb Fairy-wren in the same tree.
“Birds Eye View”
Acrylic on Clayboard
By Natalie Parker
Can you discuss the inspiration and thought process behind your winning work?
“Rainforest Glow” was inspired by a visit to Barrington Tops National Park that is part of the Great Dividing Range in NSW. With its ancient rainforest, natural waterfalls and unique fauna and flora, it is one of my favourite destinations for inspiration. Kookaburras are a regular find in this park, so I wanted to share a memory of a beautiful afternoon that I witnessed there through my art.
“Birds Eye View”
Acrylic on Clayboard
By Natalie Parker
Can you walk us through the technical steps of creating your winning painting?
Firstly, using my reference photos, I sketch out my format on paper. Once I am happy with the arrangement and composition of the branches and birds, I transfer a basic outline of the design to the Claybord.
Airbrushing is the next step. I use Airbrush Medium to thin my acrylic paints to the right consistency to flow through the airbrush. Using Airbrush Medium keeps the integrity and strength in the paints.
Blocking in the branch and birds in titanium white using a large flat brush is applied before any colour is added. This will help the subject ‘pop’ and give more vibrancy to the colours. I like to paint in my subjects’ eyes first, I believe it is a very important part of the painting.
I then start the details using a variety of brushes. I tend to work on different sections of the painting, swapping from the mossy branch to the kookaburras, to keep my momentum going. The finishing touch is to add an ant or two before signing in the bottom left corner.
After allowing the painting to completely dry for a couple of days, I apply a water-based satin varnish, this gives the painting an even finish.
“Under The Cover of Darkness”
Acrylic on Canvas
By Natalie Parker
What do you hope to communicate to an audience with your work?
I like to encourage a connection with nature, and to highlight how fortunate we are in Australia to share our country with such unique wildlife, not found anywhere else in the world.
Can you talk about your biggest learning experience during the process of creating your work?
Having quality reference photos is really helpful. Focussing on the lighting in my paintings has added life to my work. Using cool colour tones alongside warm colours enhances the values of afternoon light.
“Happy Fellow”
Acrylic on Clayboard
By Natalie Parker
Can you discuss your biggest success since starting your artistic journey?
When I first started wildlife art, I focused on a lot of nocturnal wildlife. I found safety in the dark and earthy colour tones. As I continued my artistic journey, I grew confidence and pushed myself to experiment with brighter colours. As a self-taught artist, I have learned things slowly through trial and error. I still feel I have much to learn but am excited about from where I have started to where I am heading.
Can you give us the best piece of advice you have ever heard/received?
Being an Artist can be a very solitary lifestyle. I am content with this, but I am very fortunate to have my work in a gallery that specialises in wildlife and tradition landscape art. Over the years all ‘us’ artists have formed friendships and a special comradery with each other. Forming friendships with artists is an asset in this industry.
“Munching Away”
Acrylic on Clayboard
By Natalie Parker
As a winner, do you have any advice for artists who want to apply for awards, competitions, residencies, etc.?
For many years I avoided entering awards and competitions. Partly from having a shy personality but also having the mentality of ‘is my work good enough?’. My advice to artists is to give it a go! Art is a very personal expression, and everyone has their own unique style. Don’t compare your work to anyone else’s.
“Outback Dawn”
Acrylic on Clayboard
By Natalie Parker
What projects are you working on currently? Can you discuss them?
I recently completed a painting of a cute little Pink Robin; this has lit a spark for me to continue with this subject. Australia has so many beautiful tiny birds, I have yet to paint a series of Robins. We are spoilt for choice when it comes to wildlife in our country, it will take me more than a lifetime to paint them all.
“Restful”
Acrylic on Clayboard
By Natalie Parker
What is your dream project or piece that you hope to accomplish?
I would love to have a solo exhibition to raise awareness and support for Australia’s unique wildlife. To have an exhibition internationally would be a dream come true.
“Southern Color”
Acrylic on Clayboard
By Natalie Parker
Lastly, I like to ask everyone what advice they would give to their fellow artists, what is your advice?
Find your passion in your art journey, once I decided to focus on Australian Wildlife, I haven’t looked back! Have confidence in your art style, but don’t be scared to try new things.
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